Hydrangea plant named &#39;HMUPSI&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hydrangea  cultivar named ‘HMUPSI’ is disclosed, characterized by a vibrant mophead inflorescence and strong re-blooming characteristics. Plants are semi-dwarf, compact and bloom on both old and new wood Flowering stems are exceptionally strong. The new variety is a  Hydrangea , normally produced as an ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hydrangea hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘HMUPSI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Hydrangea cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Timothy D. Wood, in Grand Haven, Mich. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Hydrangea varieties. The open pollination resulting in this new variety was made during July of 2008.

The seed parent is the patented commercial variety Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Robert’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,020. The pollen parent is unknown, as it was an open pollination breeding program. The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in June of 2011, at a greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘HMUPSI’ by softwood cuttings was first performed June of 2011 at a commercial greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 4 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘HMUPSI’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HMUPSI’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HMUPSI’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea cultivar:

-   -   1. Mop-head inflorescence.     -   2. Semi-dwarf, compact plant form.     -   3. Strong re-blooming habit, flowers on both old wood and new         wood.     -   4. Vibrant colored inflorescence.     -   5. Strong stems hold up large inflorescence well, allowing for         both good container performance as well as good garden         performance.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘HMUPSI’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Robert’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘HMUPSI’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has much deeper colored sepals than the         parent variety, due to deeper color saturation of the sepals.     -   2. The new variety has even stronger re-blooming performance         than the parent variety.     -   3. The new variety has stronger flowering stems.     -   4. The new variety can easily flower rich purple or violet with         the application of aluminum sulfate, the parent variety will         color a softer lavender-blue with the same application.

Pollen parent unknown as this is product of open pollination.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘HMUPSI’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Hydrangea ‘Berner’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,329. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘HMUPSI’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety is a significantly shorter, more compact         plant.     -   2. The new variety has deeper sepal color saturation.     -   3. The new variety has smaller sepals.     -   4. The new variety has stronger re-blooming characteristics.

‘HMUPSI’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Hydrangea ‘Nikko Blue’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘HMUPSI’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety is a significantly shorter, more compact         plant.     -   2. The new variety has deeper sepal color saturation.     -   3. The new variety has strong re-blooming characteristics, this         comparator does not rebloom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flowering plant of ‘HMUPSI’ grown in a greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich., USA.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up view of multiple inflorescence. Inflorescences towards the right side of the figure show the more violet tones of plants produced in a more basic environment. Inflorescences towards the left are more pink, produced in a more acidic environment. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 2-3 years. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the 1996 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘HMUPSI’ plants grown in a double layered poly greenhouse, in Grand Haven, Mich., USA. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 27° C. daytime and 5° to 10° C. at night. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Measurements were taken during July of 2015.

-   Botanical classification: Hydrangea hybrida ‘HMUPSI’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 18 days at             approximately 27° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plants.—Approximately 60 days             at approximately 27° C.         -   Root description.—Thick and fine, freely root branching and             dense, fibrous.         -   Propagation method.—Softwood cuttings. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—2 to 3 years.         -   Pot size.—3 gallon.         -   Growth habit.—Flowering perennial shrub, round.             Semi-upright, non-climbing.         -   Overall plant shape.—Round.         -   Height.—58 cm.         -   Plant spread.—91 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Good.         -   Plant vigor.—Good.         -   Branching characteristics.—Opposite, basal branches, some             pinching required. Non-fasciated.         -   Length of lateral branches/stems.—Approximately 43 cm.         -   Number of lateral branches.—28.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—6 mm.         -   Lateral branch shape and appearance.—Round.         -   Lateral branch strength.—Good.         -   Internode length.—Average 7 cm.         -   Branch/stem color.—Immature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Branch/stem texture.—Glabrous, lenticels not observed.             Mature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Branch angle.—0 to 20°.         -   Branch pubescence.—No. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Average Length: 16 cm Average             Width: 10 cm Shape of blade: Ovate, without lobes. Apex:             Acuminate, average length 3 to 6 mm. Base: Rounded to obtuse             Margin: Serrate Texture and appearance of top surface:             Leathery, glossy Texture and appearance of bottom surface:             Glossy, coarse. Color: Solid, non-variegated. Young foliage             upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green 144A Young foliage under             side: Near RHS Yellow-green 146B Mature foliage upper side:             Near RHS Green 137A Mature foliage under side: Near RHS             Yellow-green 146B Venation: Type: Pinnate Venation color             upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145B Venation color under             side: Near Yellow-green 145C.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 3.0 cm Diameter: 4 mm Color: Upper             side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145B Under side: Near RHA             Yellow-green 145B Texture upper side: Glossy, glabrous             Texture under side: Glossy, glabrous. -   Flower:     -   -   Bloom period.—Natural Season: Early Summer until Fall.         -   Inflorescence.—Type: Mophead Shape: Globular. Quantity of             flowers per inflorescence: Fertile flowers, 90 approximate             average, inconspicuous to slightly inconspicuous. Sterile             Flowers, 414 approximate average. Persistent or             self-cleaning: Self-cleaning Fragrance: Lightly scented.         -   Panicle.—Shape: Spherical, somewhat flattened Height: 6 cm             Diameter: 15 cm.         -   Sterile flower.—Bud shape: Obovate Bud length: 5.0 mm Bud             diameter: 2.0 mm Bud color: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C.             Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue 98B Flower aspect: Upright and             outward Flower shape: Cruciform Flower length: 12 mm Flower             Diameter: 18 mm Flower Depth: 12 mm Aspect: Facing upright             and outward. Self cleaning.         -   Sterile flower petals.—Petal Arrangement: Whorl Length of             petal: Approximately 2 mm Width of petal: Approximately 1 mm             Apex: Acute Shape of petal: Ovate Petal margin: Entire Petal             Base: Obtuse/fused Petal Number: 4 Petal Texture: Smooth,             upper and under side.         -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Acidic: Near RHS             Red-Purple 73C. Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue 98B Upper             surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Basic:             Near RHS Violet-Blue 98B Under surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue             98B Under surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple             73C. Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue 98B. Color when fading:             Both upper and lower surfaces continue with same coloration:             Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C. Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue             98B.         -   Sterile flower sepal.—Arrangement: Whorl Number: 4 Shape:             Obovate Tip: Acute or obtuse Base: Cuneate Margin: Entire             Length: 8 mm Width: 8 mm to 10 mm Texture, Upper: Smooth             Texture, Lower: Smooth Color: Upper surface at first             opening: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 81D and Violet-Blue             98A around margin Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73B Upper             surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 81D and             Violet-Blue 98A around margin Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73B             Under surface at first opening: Acidic: Near RHS             Purple-violet 81D and Violet-Blue 98A around margin Basic:             Near RHS Red-purple 73B Under surface at maturity: Acidic:             Near RHS Purple-violet 81D and Violet-Blue 98A around margin             Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73C Fading to Upper surface:             Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 81D and Violet-Blue 98A             around margin Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73D Fading to Under             surface: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 81D and Violet-Blue             98A around margin Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73D.         -   Sterile flower pedicel.—Length: 14 mm Diameter: 1 mm Angle:             Upright and outward Strength: Good Texture: Smooth Color:             Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73D Basic: Near RHS             Purple-Violet 81D.         -   Fertile flower.—Bud shape: Round to obovate Bud length: 2 mm             Bud diameter: 2 mm Bud color: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple             73C Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue 98B Flower aspect: Upright             and outward. Flower shape: Star-like, single. Flower length:             5 mm Flower diameter: 4 mm Flower depth: 5 mm Self-cleaning.         -   Fertile flower petals.—Length of petal: 2 mm Width of petal:             1 mm Apex: Acute Shape of petal: Ovate Petal margin: Entire             Petal Arrangement: Whorl Petal Number: 5 Petal base:             Rounded/obtuse Petals Fused: No. Petal Texture: Smooth,             upper and under side Color: Upper surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 73C Basic: Near RHS Violet-Blue             98B Upper surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple             74D Basic: Near RHS Red-Purple 74D Under surface at first             opening: Acidic: Near RHS Purple 76B Basic: Near RHS Purple             76B Under surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple             66D Basic: Near RHS Red-Purple 66D Upper surface fading to:             Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple 74D, fading towards margin to             74C Basic: Near RHS Red-Purple 74D, fading towards margin to             74C Lower surface fading to: Acidic: Near RHS Red-Purple             75D, fading towards margin to 75B Basic: Near RHS Red-Purple             75D, fading towards margin to 75B.         -   Fertile flower sepal.—Arrangement: Whorl Number: 4 Shape:             Deltate Tip: Acute Base: Ovate Margin: Entire Length: 1 mm             Width: 0.5 mm Texture, Upper: Smooth Texture, Lower: Smooth             Color, same for both acidic and basic conditions: Upper             surface at first opening: Near RHS Purple 75B Upper surface             at maturity: Near RHS Purple 75B, blended with 75A Under             surface at first opening: Near RHS Purple 75C Under surface             at maturity: Near RHS Purple 75C, blended with 75B Upper             surface fading to: Near RHS Purple 75B, outwardly changing             to 75A Lower surface fading to: Near RHS Purple 75C,             outwardly changing to 75B.         -   Fertile flower pedicel.—Angle: 15-90° Strength: Good Length:             2.8 mm Width: 2.0 mm Texture: Smooth. Color, same basic or             acidic: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C, blended with Red-Purple             73C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Sterile flower.—Androecium: Stamen number: 4 to 6 Filament             length: 1 mm Filament color: Near RHS White 155A Anther             shape: Round Anther color: Not accurately measurable with             R.H.S. chart. Anther length: less 1 mm Pollen amount: Scant             Pollen color: Not accurately measurable with R.H.S. chart.             Gynoecium: Occurs in some flowers Pistil number: 1 Pistil             length: 1 mm Stigma shape: Lobed Stigma color: Near RHS             Red-Purple 74C Style length: 1 mm Style color: Near RHS             Red-purple 74C Ovary color: Near RHS White 155B.         -   Fertile flower.—Stamen number: 5 Filament length: Average             2.75 mm Filament color: Near RHS White 155A Anther shape:             Oblong and irregularly lobed. Anther length: 1 mm Anther             color: Near RHS Greyed-green 197D Pollen amount: Scant             Pollen color: Near RHS White 155B Gynoecium: Pistil number:             1 Pistil length: 5 mm Stigma shape: Lobed Stigma color:             Red-Purple 74C Style length: 2 mm Style color: Near RHS             Red-Purple 74C Ovary color: Near RHS White 155D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to             diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.         -   Cold tolerance.—31° C. to 38° C.         -   Fruit/seed production.—1000 s of seeds. Seeds very small,             dust-like. Too minute to measure accurately with an R.H.S.             chart. 

What is claimed is:
 1. new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘HMUPSI’ as herein illustrated and described. 